For simplicity's sake, everyone should have a Google account. There are now so many online tools that Google has to offer it's likely you'll use more than one on your path to slayerdom. Why not just have one login for all those tools.
The first thing everyone should use is Google's email service, Gmail. As of this writing Gmail makes over 7GB of storage available. Gmail will also work with a email client like Microsoft Outlook. Other popular free providers like Hotmail and Yahoo! Mail don't offer this ability without a paid upgrade.
"But wait, Tech Slayer, I already have email through my internet service provider (i.e., AT&T, Earthlink, Comcast, etc.)"
No, my friend. Don't. It's a trap!
It's a common novice mistake to use the email address provided by their internet provider (ISP for short) and make it their main address, the one everyone knows. The trap is that the novice becomes so tied to that address that they become tied to the ISP as well. The Slayer knows of many people who are still paying AOL because they fear they'll lose their AOL-based email address.
By using Gmail you'll be empowered to move freely from ISP to ISP and never have to give up your Gmail address. Sure, you could use another free email service like Hotmail or Yahoo! Mail, but you'll have to create separate logins for those. Why subject yourself to the hassle?
The Contacts folder in Gmail is also the best place to store all your addresses and phone numbers.
Google also owns the phenomenon known as YouTube. This is currently the most popular video sharing website on earth. From homemade videos to movie trailers to replays of news clips YouTube has the largest video library on the internet.
Google Maps is the best way to find driving directions. You can play around with alternate routes and multiple detours. It will also remember your home address, the addresses of other places you ask for directions to, give you estimated driving times, and give you a real-time view of traffic.
Google Earth is a program that utilizes satellite photos from all over the planet and has some integration with Google Maps. Using Google Earth you can see what your house, workplace, or local dog park all look like from space. The Tech Slayer even found the Hawaiian home of his late grandfather, The Rebar Slayer.
Google Calendar integrates easily with Gmail. It can send you a text message reminder to your cell phone of upcoming appointments. You can even subscribe to things that will automatically be added to your calendar like DVD releases or your favorite team's schedule.
Google Docs is a great substitute for those that cannot afford the full Microsoft Office suite. Docs offers a word processor, spreadsheet, and a presentation program, akin to PowerPoint. It's not as rich and full-featured as MS Office, but the everyday user will find it sufficient. Documents can be imported and exported to MS Office as well.
Google also happens to have one of the best photo sharing sites, known as Picasa Web Albums. A common novice mistake is attempting to email pictures. Email messages with photos attached often results in an email that takes up large amounts of the recipient’s storage space, not to mention it takes longer to download, and is almost impossibly too large for a recipient that doesn’t have broadband internet access.
Instead, you can just post your photos on Picasa Web Albums and rather than sending them a large email with photo files the recipient may not even want, simply send an email with a link to the website. The recipient can then review the pictures and have the freedom to pick and choose which ones to download. There are settings available that can make it so that only certain people may view the photos if privacy is a concern.
Hand-in-hand with Picasa Web Albums is a free downloadable offline program called Picasa. The Beta of version 3 was just released last week. This program will organize all your photos. It gives you the ability to add tags to each photo for easier organizing and indexing. There’s a built-in photo editor that’s powerful yet easy for novices to understand. You can also make slideshows, collages, and a customized screen saver. You can even select pictures to be professionally printed and sent directly to your home or for pickup at many local Wal-Marts or Walgreens.
Blogger is another Google franchise. This free service gives you enough tools for even novices to turn out very professional-looking blog sites.
One of the Slayer’s favorite Google features is Google Reader. Reader is a sort of Grand Central Station for all your favorite feeds.
“Feed? What’s a feed, Slayer? Oh, no, I’m confused,” I hear you saying.
Do not fear, citizen. The Slayer is here to protect you.
A “feed” refers to something known as an RSS feed. This master of confusion is commonly seen by its telltale orange symbol. You’ll frequently find this on sites that are updated often, like news sites, for example.
The feed itself is actually a tool. You can use it to have updates automatically sent to an RSS reader like Google Reader. This saves you from the hassle of having to navigate to those sites looking for what’s new. Instead of going to them, they come to you. Neat concept, isn’t it?
What’s that? Sounds confusing? Sounds like a hassle? Again, fear not. It’s actually quite easy. Simply click on either the “RSS” icon or that little orange symbol. You’ll be given to option to send to different readers, Google being a common option. Just click on the Google icon, then indicate that you want the feed to be sent to Google Reader. That’s it. Slayed!
From then on, updates to the site will automatically be sent to your Google Reader page. Even this site can be subscribed to via RSS feed.
At the Google Reader site itself a wealth of other feeds are listed giving you the option of seeing the latest in all of your different interests. Some of the feeds the Slayer subscribes to include Lifehacker, Instructibles (DIY sites), latest news from PC Magazine and PC World, and today’s Garfield cartoon strip (no, the Slayer really doesn’t subscribe to Garfield!).
The Slayer grows weary from all this typing and must leave you now. But he will never be far away. The Slayer dispenses with such antiquities like a Bat-signal or a hotline. Use the RSS feed.
Until next time, my friends, have faith, be strong, and pass on what you have learned…
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